Jeremiah is a collection of sermons, messages, and proclamations by Jeremiah from God. This week will be a thunderclap for the nation of Judah going into exile, as well as all of God's people (followers) throughout history. While there are themes of judgement, those are overshadowed by stunning commands to put down roots in exile and patiently wait for God’s redemption in gathering His people back home. God also promises a "new covenant", which comes as a shock to a people who have no way to relate to God apart from their temple. The church today has clarity to see the big picture of how God fulfills all that He promised in the new covenant, through the one way.
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Bible Plan Reading Links - Week 43
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2024. Specifically, we're taking a journey into how the story of the Bible unfolded in the Old Testament. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell us. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the book of Jeremiah, what is impacting you the most? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
STUDY IT.
Read Isaiah 57:15. Where will God dwell and with who? Read Isaiah 57:18-19. Who is doing the healing of the backsliding in heart?
Read Jeremiah 31:31-32. What new covenant will God make?
Read Jeremiah 31:35-36. How secure is the promise of God’s people remaining? What is the proof given in these texts?
Read Jeremiah 29:5-7. What are God’s people to do while in Exile?
Read Jeremiah 32:39. How many hearts will God give that His people may fear Him? How many ways will God give? Read John 14:6.
SHARE IT.
Read Matthew 5:3. What is being “poor in spirit,” and how do you personally know if you are “poor in spirit?”
Read Hebrews 8:10-12,19-25. With the new covenant, what are some of the changes in thinking and behavior shown here in verses 10:22-25?
Read Hebrews 6:18. Does God lie? What is a promise in scripture that stirs your love for God, AND is almost too good to be true but is true (because God said it)?
Read 1 Timothy 2:1-2. How are you praying for your leaders in your city, state, and country?
Read Hebrews 9:15. If you believe Jesus, and therefore follow Him, what are you going to receive?
FINAL THOUGHT
Jesus is the one way to God. He mediated the new covenant through His blood, so now Christians are citizens of a heavenly Kingdom. The reverse is true that they are “exiles” in this world. Christians are sojourners, temporary residents, seeking a better city in the age to come (Philippians 3:20-21, Hebrews 11:14-16). While God's people (followers i.e. disciples) wait for the better city, they make disciples of all nations to share the one way to God. His disciples (followers i.e. the Church) are the vehicle that God gathers His people to Himself by the preaching of the Word. The formerly proud enemies of God, now redeemed by Jesus, carry God’s saving Word forward to others (Romans 10:14-17). We seek the welfare of our neighbors as God does the work of starting new life into dead hearts. We get involved in the work of making disciples, and we can do this confidently because we are held secure by God’s hand until He brings together all His people (Romans 11:25, John 10:27-30). It is not out of self-righteous arrogance that we go share the gospel. How could one describe the attitude of this new covenant people? John Piper states, “the old hardened, proud, willful heart of stone is taken out, and a new soft, tender heart is put in, which is easily humbled and crushed by the memory of sin and the sin that remains. This is a heart that the lofty One whose name is Holy will dwell with forever (Isaiah 57:18-19).”
Comentarios